Alonso Contradicts With Verstappen's Russell Verdict But Agrees With One Thing
F1
Fernando Alonso countered Max Verstappen's criticism of George Russell's personality and behavior ahead of the 2024 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
After an unpleasant experience with George Russell in the stewards' room post-2024 Qatar Grand Prix qualifying, Red Bull Racing F1 driver Max Verstappen criticized the 26-year-old.
The Dutchman stated that he was disappointed by how Russell did everything he could to get him penalized and that he couldn't stand the Mercedes driver's personality, suggesting he behaves differently in private and when there were cameras around.
The double world champion Fernando Alonso defended George Russell when speaking to the media at the Yas Marina Circuit ahead of the 2024 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. He said as per GpBlog:
"No, I don't think so. I think George is a great driver, great person. I'm a good friend of George as well. I don't think that he's showing different faces here and there."
"I think what Max probably agrees with me that I said many times, is that some of the penalties are a little bit inconsistent."
While he disagreed with one part of Verstappen Alonso agreed that the penalties handed out by FIA stewards appeared quite inconsistent.
"You have that one episode in Qatar, and then you go to the next event and you replicate exactly the same episode, which you can replicate by yourself, you can induce that episode driving, then you don't get the same result in terms of penalties. So that's the frustration that we sometimes have."
The Spaniard felt that if he were to do the same thing as George Russell, the stewards wouldn't act the same way they did, hinting there is British bias (Russell is a Briton) in the sport of F1:
"If I do that, I would not receive the same benefit as George did there."
Alonso had an incident with the 26-year-old Mercedes driver in Australia, where Russell panicked after the double World Champion braked earlier into one corner.
This resulted in a big crash as the Briton lost the rear of his car and overcorrected it - flying into the barrier at a high speed. Although the two drivers were far from contact, Alonso received a penalty for this incident. He added:
"Or maybe my incident in Australia. Contactless, 30 meters away from me, someone goes off track, and I get the penalty."
"So sometimes you wonder, if you switch the positions and you are the other guy, if you will have the same treatment."
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